A left-hand opening batsman, Imrul Kayes was the leading run-scorer for Khulna Division in the 2007-08 National Cricket League less than 12 months since making his first-class debut. Kayes soon made his way into Bangladesh's Academy team. With Bangladesh struggling to find a partner for Tamim Iqbal, Kayes staked his claim with impressive performances at the top of the order during the Academy's tour of Sri Lanka, and was rewarded with a place in Bangladesh's ODI squad to face New Zealand in October 2008. Kayes toured South Africa next month and despite a poor show in the ODIs, he earned a call-up to the squad for the Tests against the same opposition.
Cricinfo staff November 2008